Illustrator draws on love of cats at Dana Point studio

April 18, 2013

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Laura Seeley sits at her easel in her Dana Point gallery and studio, where she paints most of her artwork, like this large acrylic painting titled "Reflect." It depicts a cat thinking about its past and future. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Laura Seeley points out a small mouse she added to a print of her original acrylic painting titled "Gift Wrapped." Her originals sell for $2,200 to $6,500, depending on the size. The 14x14 wood panel in her hands, featuring a print of the original, sells for about $80 in that size. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Maria D'Antonio of Laguna Beach bought this Laura Seeley print because it reminds her of Sir, a dog belonging to her daughter. Seeley personalized the print for D'Antonio. Works like this one start at about $12. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Laura Seeley makes prints of her original artworks with different ways to display them. These minicanvases are priced at $20. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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This Laura Seeley original painting in acrylic titled "Fresh Catch" sells for about $2,500. Seeley has prints available of this painting for about $12 and up, depending on the size. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Dana Point artist Laura Seeley signs a print of her work for a client. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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These matted prints from Laura Seeley start at about $12. Seeley soon will have greeting cards available for about $4. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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The Cat Fanciers' Association catalog for 2011 is on display at Laura Seeley's studio. Seeley licensed several images for the annual publication, which helps to identify cat breeds. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Laura Seeley has put her artwork on jewelry like these pendants, which are priced at about $40 with the chain. She also sells them without the chain for about $20, with a small easel to display the piece. Seeley says the black cat at left is her bestselling image. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Laura Seeley started out writing and illustrating children's books like these when she lived in San Francisco in the the 1990s. She still works on books but is concentrating more on her cat artwork. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Laura Seeley of Dana Point has licensed her artwork for use with items like these ceramic tiles, which sell for $20 to $45. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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Laura Seeley has another children's book in the works. This acrylic painting, titled "28 Smiles," will be part of it. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

Laura Seeley sits at her easel in her Dana Point gallery and studio, where she paints most of her artwork, like this large acrylic painting titled "Reflect." It depicts a cat thinking about its past and future.DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

Laura Seeley Studio & Best Friends Art Gallery

Laura Seeley has scratched out a spot in Dana Point for an art gallery and studio featuring her artwork of cats.

Seeley, a freelance illustrator in San Francisco, had been writing and illustrating children's books since the 1990s and found the feline avenue for her art about four years ago. They're not just any cats – there are mafia cats, business cats, spooky cats, curious cats, gift-wrapped cats, hunting cats, dreaming cats, eating cats, sneaky cats and cool cats.

Encouraged by art buyers and friends, the Massachusetts native began going to cat and art shows to present her work. The exposure led her to paint more and more cats. She estimates she has more than 250 different works of cats showing some attitude.

"I immediately found an overwhelming response from people with my cats," Seeley said.

Seeley had some success with her books "The Greatest Story Never Told" and "The Magical Moonballs," along with several "Shadowbox" books in which she drew hundreds of items based on childhood themes, accompanied by a list of things for kids to find.

She didn't expect her cat art to take off like it did, but soon she was traveling all over Southern California on a regular basis for three years. It's how she found Dana Point.

"We used to zip through Dana Point all the time from San Francisco to San Diego and I never really noticed the town," Seeley said. "But then this opportunity came up where I have my studio now and we live nearby, and I saw it was the perfect place – a pretty town and warmer beaches than San Francisco."

She now paints her cats in the same space where she sells her work – not only originals but also prints in every size mounted or displayed on paper, T-shirts, wood panels, ceramic tiles, minicanvases, pendants and pins.

"People think I have a dozen cats because of my work, but I only have two – Fig and Basil," Seeley said. "I get some of my inspiration from them. Basil thinks he is a dog and fetches. But really it's things or situations I am thinking about on my own."

Seeley says her original works, painted in acrylic, can take several weeks to complete and usually illustrate a theme or an idea, typically inspirational or reflective. Seeley paints in verses and sayings to further bring home what she wants to communicate in each piece.

When she makes smaller prints, details like the verses might be lost, so she puts in other things you have to look for, such as a tiny mouse, different-colored eyes on her feline friends, maybe a sly smile or a tongue sticking out. Specialty publishing businesses and collector companies have put her cats on about a dozen different products, including mugs, T-shirts, calendars and, yes, mouse pads.

Seeley has decided to get back to shows to help increase awareness of her work. "The shows allow people to see what you have, and that brings them in to the gallery later to see what you have," she said.

Seeley has been accepted into the Art-A-Fair summer festival in Laguna Beach.

Q&A WITH LAURA SEELEY

Q. What is the best thing about owning your business?

A. I love my work where I can meet people who want to have art in their home. My work is a sort of catharsis for me. I have an idea and I can see it develop into something, and then when it's done, give someone a smile when they see it.

Q. What has been the most challenging aspect of owning your art studio?

A. The business end of things is tough, especially the contracts for publishing and licensing. I am sure there are a lot of images of my artwork out there that people are using without permission. It's hard to think about sometimes.

Q. What advice do you have for anyone starting a business?

A. I think you have to really search your heart to see if it's something you are meant to do and then follow whatever it is with all your heart. Life is short and you should be doing what you want to do and makes you happy.

Q. What trend do you see in your art?

A. I started making the eyes in my cats have more of a human expression, and people have really responded to those pieces in a positive way. I think people can see more of themselves in the artwork that way.

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